public funds

Noun

public funds pl (plural only)

1. (plural, plural-only) Financial resources of a government, which may be spent on certain specified purposes.
   • If they propose to make payments out of public funds, I want to warn the Minister that if he does not come back with a Parliamentary majority of his own party, he will be charged with the moneys he will be paying in the meantime without Parliamentary authority.1945 June 7, Aneurin Bevan, quotee, “Housing: Volume 411: debated on Thursday 7 June 1945”, in Hansard, archived from the original on 10 Oct 2024, column 1139
   • In accordance with the Government's policy of providing increased child care facilities, substantial public funds have been made available to assist the co-operative in refurbishing the premises and running the crèche.2001 October 16, “Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 16 Oct 2001”, in oireachtas.ie, archived from the original on 22 Jul 2025, Written Answers. - Child Care Facilities
2. (plural, plural-only) Money lent to government for which interest is paid of a stated amount at a stated time.
   • Some preliminary legal arrangements were made, but the scheme proceeded no further, as the various local authorities concerned were unwilling to speculate public funds on what was, even at that date, a will o' the wisp.1951 May, R. K. Kirkland, “The Cavan & Leitrim Railway”, in Railway Magazine, page 345